How fire is healing the biodiversity of Main Range

Using an aerial incendiary machine, the team was able to take a highly targeted and nuanced approach to apply fire across the landscape. The machine, operated from a helicopter, allowed them to strategically ignite large areas under specific conditions, utilising ignition tactics, weather, and topography to apply varying fire intensities, where needed.

‘This method supports the land’s natural resilience by creating a varied patchwork of burnt and unburnt areas.

‘Fire practitioners, contemporary and traditional, apply fire with specific intent and careful planning. While fires often start from natural causes, such as lightning, at the wrong time of year they can sometimes lead to undesirable outcomes  .

‘By contrast, planned burns aim to create beneficial effects for the landscape, supporting biodiversity and strengthening the land’s resilience.’

It’s this varied landscape of different vegetation ages and conditions that supports biodiversity and strengthens the land’s natural resilience to fire—a vital technique in ecological fire management.

‘While hazard reduction is a key focus, planned burns like this one also play a big role in maintaining ecological values,’ Senior Ranger Tim said.

By keeping burns controlled and putting fire to the ground in the right weather conditions, we’re able to:

• Maintain healthy vegetation structures by managing thickening that can occur from mass germination after fire.
• Minimise the loss of important habitat features like hollow logs and mature trees.
• Create safe refuges for wildlife.
• Preserve the natural and cultural values of the landscape.

With Queensland’s hot and dry climate, managing fuel loads and supporting healthy vegetation through strategic fire application is one of the most effective ways to protect both people and the environment.

Learn more about Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service’s role in fire management and bushfire response.

Stay up to date on future and current planned burn operations happening in Queensland parks and forests, when you check Park Alerts .

Find out what you can do to help reduce the risk of bushfire, whether you’re planning a trip to a park, live close to a protected area or State Forest, or it’s bushfire season.